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Conversations between people occur through exchanges of stimuli and responses. Each participant expresses themselves from an Ego State, which may be Parent, Adult, or Child. This meeting of Ego States constitutes what is called transactions. The theory of Transactional Analysis, developed by Eric Berne, proposes that to understand communication, we need to identify who is speaking and to whom they are speaking. Thus, the term “transaction” describes the act in which a sender delivers a message that is received by the Ego State of another person.
There are various types of transactions, but the main classifications are complementary, crossed, and ulterior transactions. Each reveals a distinct mode of interaction.
A complementary transaction occurs when the stimulus from a particular Ego State receives a corresponding response. The arrows in the transactional diagram remain parallel, meaning the message follows the same path as the response. Adult-Adult, Parent-Child, or Child-Parent transactions are common examples. These exchanges enable smooth communication, as there are no evident conflicts. Berne’s research indicates that as long as transactions remain complementary, the conversation proceeds steadily.
Crossed transactions arise when the response does not return to the Ego State that initiated the message. In this case, the arrows cross, and the communication suffers a breakdown. The sender may speak from the Adult, but the receiver replies from their Child or Parent state, instead of responding from Adult. Thus, the conversation changes course or ceases altogether. This type of transaction is the source of many issues in historical, marital, or occupational contexts.
Some authors mention subtypes of crossed transactions, such as “Crossed Transaction Type I,” where an Adult-Adult stimulus receives a Child-Parent response, and “Crossed Transaction Type II,” in which an Adult-Adult stimulus receives a Parent-Child response. Both interrupt the dialogue, often requiring a restart or a change of topic for mutual understanding.
Ulterior transactions involve more than one Ego State simultaneously. There is an explicit social level and a hidden psychological level. Berne distinguishes two forms in this category: the angular transaction, in which the sender activates a different Ego State than they appear to, and the duplex transaction, where two messages occur in parallel but on different levels.
In angular transactions, for example, the sender seems to address the Adult of the other, but actually seeks to reach the Parent or Child of the interlocutor. The visible line remains at the Adult-Adult level, while a dotted line indicates the hidden intent to involve another Ego State.
In duplex transactions, complexity increases, as the sender may say something from Adult to Adult and, simultaneously, suggest something from Child to Child without making it explicit. Multiple combinations are possible, but only a few are relevant in daily life.
Knowing the different transaction types provides a valuable map for conflict resolution and for improving human relationships. When we realize a conversation has become crossed, for example, we have the opportunity to break the pattern and reestablish an Adult-Adult level. This facilitates negotiation, active listening, and empathy. In environments such as work, family, or school, this awareness helps prevent communication breakdowns and strengthens bonds.
For further study, several works in Transactional Analysis provide explanations, exercises, and practical application models (BERNE, 1961). In these references, the reader can find detailed descriptions of each transaction subtype, with graphic representations and clinical cases. This in-depth knowledge enables individuals to act more consciously and constructively in various social contexts.
